This Wallsend local has a fresh new feel
For those who frequent Wallsend, Drop In Espresso Bar has long been a staple of the local cafe scene. First opening its doors in 2018, this beloved coffee spot has undergone a quiet, yet rather transformative journey under the ownership of Micayla Tsousis, who has managed the space since its inception, and took the reins in 2022.
Owner – Micayla Tsousis
“The previous owner wanted to sell the business but she didn’t want to sell it to just anyone, so she pitched it to me. I’d been managing it and knew it like the back of my hand, so I bought it,” Micayla said.
Rather than making any immediate and drastic changes, Micayla settled into her new role as owner before finally putting her own flair on Drop In Espresso Bar in late 2024.
The recent renovations have created a fresh space that reflects Micayla’s vision. The inspiration? A visit to their coffee supplier’s headquarters, Ground Control in Tweed Heads.
“I took my managers up to the headquarters and whilst I was sitting on an old vintage chair, something just sparked in me and I knew exactly what I wanted to do with Drop In Espresso Bar.”
After closing the doors for just a week, Micayla, together with the help of her mum, some of the venue’s managers, and friends, dug in and got the work done. Among the updates were new (and groovy) tiles on the front step, fresh paint, electrical work, and a reconfiguration of the space.
While the space has evolved, the heart of Drop In remains the same with its customer base as diverse as ever, reflecting the changing nature of Wallsend itself.
“We always get asked who our general customer is, and it changes every single day. Wallsend is becoming a real good hotspot. Everyone knows everyone – it’s like a small little country town.”
The menu is a testament to Micayla’s commitment to community engagement. With a rotating selection of both food and drink specials (keep an eye out for the Nutella cold brew frappe) and a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients, the cafe keeps things interesting by inviting customers to weigh in on new offerings.
“We try to get our customers involved in our new menu items to see what they want to see. We’ll put a question up on our Instagram and ask what they’re craving and we get creative from there. It gets the customers excited that they came up with something and it gives our chef some creative direction.”
The menu leans heavily into a breakfast and brunch, with hearty options like their braised beef complete with beef brisket, broccolini, salsa verde, fried onion, and poached egg. Alongside lighter and classic fare like the brekky wrap with scrambled egg, bacon, cheese, spinach, and your choice of sauce and the chilli scramble with scrambled egg, chilli oil, shallots, and parmesan.
Homemade sausage rolls are another crowd favourite and plans are in motion to introduce house-made pies.
Over on the drinks side, Drop In caters to both coffee lovers and health-conscious locals.
“Our drinks menu is mostly made up of coffee, smoothies, and lots of protein shakes – we have a lot of gyms surrounding us. I think there are four just in this block, plus more over in the industrial area.”
Looking ahead, Micayla has even bigger ideas for Drop In Espresso Bar.
“Over time, I’d like to do some pop-up nights and turn it into a little speakeasy. I just want a place in Wallsend where people can come and do night workshops. Wallsend really needs something like that.”
Also on the cards for 2025 are dinner services, something Drop In dabbled in under its previous owner.
“We were doing that once a month and people really loved it. We would have people come in and enjoy our set menus and it was honestly just amazing.”
With its fresh energy, a reinvigorated space, and an owner who truly understands the heart of Wallsend, Drop In Espresso Bar continues to be a go-to spot for locals for great coffee, good food, and above all, a welcoming atmosphere.
